Would you believe that many employees would prefer a bad manager who’s consistent over an inconsistent manager? I’ve heard that statement a lot in my years of coaching and training in corporate America. What is interesting is this is the same psychosocial belief of women who stay with abusive men -: at least consistently bad is better than unknowing or inconsistent.
Now, I’m not saying that you should be a bad leader. That’s not the takeaway here! I am saying that you should consistently apply great leadership skills.
Why is consistency so important? Because people like predictability. They like knowing the rules of the game, especially a leader’s rules of the game.
Imagine a manager who greets everyone with a cheerful “Hello!” on Monday morning then marches in on Tuesday morning, head down, growling that she needs coffee. How should employees approach her the next day? Or the next week? Who knows?
Your consistency will improve how people interact with you on many levels. Knowing what characteristics you portray when you “show up” is important to your success!
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
The first key step to achieving consistency: knowing your own, personal leadership style.
For example, do you prefer written communication or verbal interactions? Do you want to be prepared in advance for meetings, or do you think better on your feet?
There’s no right or wrong. These preferences are a part of who you are. Once you understand your unique approach, you can better communicate your preferences. Your employees will be happy to comply with your requests. They’ll understand that you prefer e-mailed meeting notices to impromptu gatherings or executive summaries instead of lengthy reports. Remember, the people who work for you like knowing the rules.
Understanding your own style can also help you recognize preferences among your employees, and especially your customers. For instance, you may like a glowing public acknowledgment of a job well done while your project team leader may prefer a framed letter of commendation. Responding to these subtle differences will elevate you in your employees’ eyes, and increase loyalty in your customers!
Did you know? Ann has developed The Warrior Styles to help you better understand your styles and those around you! Interested in the Assessment? Contact her!
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
To achieve your desired results, clarify what you expect from your relationships, your business, your employees, even your personal relationships. As Brian Tracy says in The Psychology of Achievement, you must 1) tell people what to expect, and 2) follow through on those expectations. See many of us make the deadly mistake of assuming that people know!
That makes sense, right? If you ask employees to arrive by a certain time each morning, and someone shows up late without consequences, your staff assumes your timeliness standard isn’t important. Without follow through, more and more employees will arrive late. Why? Because when you do not follow through, you send a message that it is no big deal. Same true in your business. If you say to someone that you meet at a networking meeting you will call them and then do not, you send a message what it was “no big deal.” And that is deadly as a small business owner.
Over my 15 years of coaching leaders and business owners, I’ve added two of my own key steps to Brian Tracy’s advice. The first is to know what you expect. Think about how you, as a leader, view flex time, paid time off, and other policies, and come up with your own standards. That way, you’ll know exactly what to tell your employees. This will increase your odds of being consistent.
The next piece is to communicate assertively. Otherwise, your staff will be frustrated. Want an easy way to achieve assertive communication? When you make a request, stop sticking that big, old “but” into things!
Seriously, look at the difference one word can make:
“I know you’re busy now, but I need you to comment on this report.”
“I know you’re busy now, and I need five minutes to discuss this report in the next hour.”
“That’s a really great idea, but that’s not what we’re talking about right now.”
“That’s a really great idea. I’d like to add it to our agenda for next time, will you email me a reminder to do so?”
Notice how the second sentences present clear, respectful expectations.
Next Post: Leadership Style!
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
Have you recently become a manager? Do you want to be successful at leading people? Have you found yourself frustrated? You are not alone! Too often we get into leadership because we are good at our jobs. Being good at your job has NOTHING to do with the skills needed to lead people who do the job! Here are four sure-fire skills to set your leadership skills soaring.
In the next 5-10 years the opportunity to lead others will increase significantly. Are you ready to step into leadership? Not only will business leaders be needed but community ones as well. AND entrepreneurs, must lead. Warrior-Preneurs understand the importance of leadership in all areas of their lives! Step up a lead!
1. Play Fair: Consistency with Performance and Personal Issues
What’s fair to one person isn’t fair to someone else. That’s why consistency is key when dealing with performance or personal issues at work. Creating consistent plans for these situations is your natural next step.
What’s with all these plans? Well, without them, you’ll be left to make individual judgments. And, no matter how fair you try to be, your decisions will likely be tainted by your preferences.
For example, say an employee is late several days in a row and doesn’t seem fully engaged in his project. But as it turns out, his beloved 10-year-old Border Collie died the weekend before. If he’s a top performer, you may decide to cut him some slack. If he hasn’t been meeting goals for some time, however, you may react strongly to his lax behavior and get tough once and for all.
Neither reaction is consistent or repeatable. Neither elevates you in the eyes of your staff, especially if you take a different turn in a similar, future situation.
Sit down and decide what you want to do in real-life situations that affect employees. If you encounter an unexpected situation for the first time, don’t react right away. Ask for time to think about your performance expectations and then create a plan for the future. If you run a community meeting how are you leading consistently? I set “policies” so my members see me as fair in how I select speakers, manage event time, and set a price. That means they show up.
Your consistent response and specific feedback will take you yet another step closer to becoming a truly outstanding leader.
Next post: Clarify Expectations!
If you act consistently, employees will know how to react to you. And that’s a big step towards earning their trust and loyalty.
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
Often I meet people who have started a new business, or even bought into an MLM, or multi-level marketing brand, who think that the product is the brand. Not true. You are the brand.
Why would I choose you over others who do the same thing you do? Because you have a brand, – a very unique personality that “attracts” me to you.
Here are three simple actions you can take to help you define your brand:
#1
Take five minutes and write down as many one-word answers as possible that answer this question: Who am I?
Once you have completed this list, go back through it and cross off every word that defines a role – such as wife, mother, friend, teacher. The words that are left – most might be adjectives – are who you are and represent the cornerstone of your brand.
#2
Now write two sentences using your favorite adjectives to describe what you do.
For example, here are some words that I use to describe who I am:
Influential, Strategic, Successful
My resulting sentences:
Being influential and understanding strategies of influence have catapulted my business to the next level. I simplify these strategies of influence and buy-in so that women business owners who work with me can increase interest and generate more business than ever before.
#3
Think about how you use those powerful words in your tag, your web site, and more! This is who you are, not what you do!
Remember: branding is not advertising and it’s not marketing or PR. First you create your brand, and then you raise awareness of it.
Did you know? Ann does an advanced activity to this in her Networking and Sales bootcamp to improve your visibility and success! The At Home Study Kit coming soon!
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
